The lotus seeds were unearthed during the 1971 construction of the park's waste treatment plant and germinated naturally after being exposed to water.
The park's Rice Paddy Art holds the Guinness World Record for the largest rice field mosaic in specific past years.
Researchers estimate the ancient lotus seeds survived for millennia due to the unique anaerobic conditions of the local soil.
The observation tower provides a vantage point roughly 50 meters above the ground to view the full scale of the rice murals.
The park serves as a hub for protecting the original Gyoda Lotus species from cross-pollination with modern hybrids.
The rice paddy art uses at least four distinct colors of rice, including green, purple, yellow, and red varieties.
Kodai Hasu No Sato is a 14-acre botanical park in Gyoda, Saitama, centered around the natural germination of ancient lotus seeds estimated to be 1,400 to 3,000 years old. These 'Gyoda Lotus' flowers bloom annually from late June through early August, featuring large pink petals. The park is equally recognized for its massive 'Rice Paddy Art,' which uses different varieties of colored rice plants to create detailed murals visible from an observation tower. The site includes a botanical garden, a light meal area, and an observation facility overlooking the paddy fields. It serves as a living museum for the Gyoda Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), which was discovered after ground excavation in the 1970s. The paddy art designs typically change annually and often depict local legends, historical figures, or current cultural themes. Visitors can navigate walking paths that surround the multiple lotus ponds.
The top level of the observation tower for a panoramic view of the rice paddy murals.
Bring a hat and sunscreen as the lotus ponds are fully exposed to direct sunlight with minimal natural shade.
Visit the observation tower early in your trip to get an orientation of the paddy art layout.
Bring insect repellent, as the park's wetlands attract mosquitoes during the peak blooming season.
Do not attempt to collect seeds or flowers from the ponds, as the Gyoda Lotus is protected.
The park is generally closed during the winter season; the lotus blooming is exclusively a summer event.
Stay on designated walking paths to protect the sensitive mud environments where the lotus roots reside.
